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Fraud Prevention

At Security State Bank, the security of your accounts and personal information is our top priority. Recently, the Federal Trade Commission has warned consumers about fraudulent emails, pop-up advertisements, and phony web sites that attempt to trick people into providing confidential personal information.

Protecting Your Password

For your protection, we recommend that you do not share your online banking password, or give out your password by email or phone. "Phishing" is a term for hoax emails that look like they are coming from a trusted institution, like your bank, to try to get you to send sensitive information such as a password. Security State Bank will NEVER ask for your online banking password via email, phone, or pop-up window even if there is a need to re-set your account.

Tips for keeping your password unique and safe:

Length- Ideally your password should range from 8 to 14 characters; the longer the better. The
maximum length for Personal Online Banking passwords is 17 characters. You can create a phrase for a
password by using the space bar and combining words; it is often easier to remember.

Combine letters and numbers- Increasing the variety of characters in your password or password
phrase makes it harder to guess. If you choose to only have 1 letter or number in your alpha numeric
combination, as explained above, a longer password is recommended.

Avoid using look-alike substitutions of numbers or symbols- For example, don't use a zero to replace
an "o" or a 1 to replace an "I". This is a common password design that malicious users are aware of.

Avoid using sequences- Don't use a well known sequence such as "1234", "abcd", or letters next to
each other on the keyboard like "asdf". Also, don't repeat parts of your password like "cat12cat".

Writing down your password- if you choose to write your password down, make sure it is adequately
protected in order to remain secure and effective. The best practice is not to write it down.

Do not allow your browser to automatically save your password.

Do not leave your computer unattended while you are logged into online banking.

Change your password regularly.

Check the strength of your password by using Microsoft's Password Checker. It is a non recording feature
that determines the strength of your password as you type.

Online Banking Security Tips:

The login field for Security State Bank's personal and business online banking customers are on our home
page. Although you will not see a "lock" key on your browser frame or an "https" address as you would on
some websites, please be assured that your login information is secure. Once your Access ID is entered and
the "sign in" button clicked, your login information is transmitted via a secure connection into our online
banking server.

To help safeguard your personal and financial data, we will automatically, "End" your session whenever a
security risk may be present. Here are some actions that may be deemed a security risk:

clicking a link twice

clicking the browser's back, forward or refresh button

Each of these actions may cause your session to terminate. To re-establish your session, simply return to
the login page.

Online Shopping Tips:

The threat of identity theft and account fraud increases when shopping online. It is important to make sure
your computer and personal information is protected against harmful computer viruses and people trying to
steal your identity.

Below are some security tips to help protect your identity and account information:

When shopping online only use Internet merchants you know and trust. If in doubt, check with the
Better
Business Bureau.

Use secure websites for transactions and make sure internet purchases are secured to protect
your account

information.

Never share any personal information through email or over the phone unless you have initiated
the contact.

Avoid passwords that are easy to guess. Learn more about creating unique and secure passwords
below.

Keep your anti-virus protection software up to date with the most current versions and scan your
computer frequently.

Avoid downloading programs from unknown sources.

Protect your online passwords and security questions.

It is also very important to make sure your computer has software in place to safeguard against the
increased threat of viruses.

Visit Symantec's site to learn more information about defending you computer from computer viruses.

Visit Adobe's site for all the latest Adobe patches. This is especially important if you use Adobe Reader
products to view PDF files as it helps protect against vulnerabilities associated with the tool.

Email Fraud

Fraudulent email activity is increasing. These emails may appear to be from legitimate companies that
you do business with, such as your bank, an online auction site, or your Internet service provider.

These deceptive emails are called "Spoof Emails" because they fake the appearance of a popular Web site
or company in an attempt to commit identity theft. Also known as "hoax" or "phishing", this practice is
occurring more and more frequently throughout the online world.

You are often asked to validate or confirm your personal information by sending a reply, clicking on a
link, or opening an attachment. These messages can contain viruses, known as "Trojan horse" programs,
designed to record your keystrokes. These emails can also direct you to a counterfeit Web site that
appears to be genuine.

Reporting Suspicious Emails:

If you do receive a suspicious email claiming to be affiliated with Security State Bank, please report
it immediately by forwarding the email to aitkin@ssbmn.com or calling us at 218-927-3765. If you have
entered personal information in response to a suspicious email, pop-up window, or direction to phony web
site claiming to be Security State Bank, please visit the Federal Trade Commission's informative web
site for advice on how to deter, detect and defend yourself from identity theft at www.ftc.gov/idtheft
or call 1-877-ID-THEFT (438-4338).

How To Avoid Email Fraud:

With a few simple steps, you can help protect your Security State Bank accounts and personal information
from fraudulent activity:

Delete any email without opening it, if you don't recognize the sender.

Be suspicious of any email that asks for personal information, requests your authentication, or
indicates a problem with your Security State Bank accounts. If you receive an email like this, do not
reply by email. Security State Bank does not request personal information from customers via email or
pop-up windows.

Do not open attachments. Security State Bank does not send email attachments.

Only provide your personal information if you initiated the sign on process to your account at Security
State Bank.

Use virus protection software and keep the virus lists current.

Keep your computer operating system and Web browser up-to-date.

Identity Theft

Identity theft is a crime in which the imposter obtains key pieces of information such as Social
Security and driver's license numbers and uses them for his or her own gain. Victims are left with a
tainted reputation and the complicated task of restoring their good names.
There are four types of identity theft crime:

Financial ID Theft

This type of case typically focuses on your name and Social Security number (SSN). This person may apply
for telephone service, credit cards or loans, buy merchandise, lease cars or apartments.

Criminal ID Theft

The imposter in this crime provides the victim's information instead of his or her own when stopped by
law enforcement. Eventually when the warrant for arrest is issued it is in the name of the person issued
the citation - yours.

Identity Cloning

In this crime the imposter uses the victim's information to establish a new life. They work and live as
you. Examples: Illegal aliens, criminals avoiding warrants, people hiding from abusive situations or
becoming a "new person" to leave behind a poor work and financial history.

Business or Commercial Identity Theft

Businesses are also victims of identity theft. Typically the perpetrator gets credit cards or checking
accounts in the name of the business. The business finds out when unhappy suppliers send collection
notices or their business rating score is affected.

No matter what type of identity theft is involved, the result is a long and sometimes arduous road to
recovery. As in all crimes, preventing the crime from occurring in the first place is key.
Security State Bank strongly believes that while it is important for consumers to take steps to decrease
their risk factors, the business community must do their part as well.

Protecting Your Identity

How can you prevent becoming an identity theft victim? While no one can totally prevent this crime from
occurring, here are some positive steps to take which will decrease your risk.

Check your credit reports once a year from all three of the credit reporting agencies listed below.

Guard your personal information. You should never give your Social Security number to anyone unless they
have a good reason for needing it.

Watch for people who may try to eavesdrop and overhear the information you give out orally.

Carefully destroy papers you throw out, especially those with sensitive or identifying information. A
crosscut paper shredder works best.

Be suspicious of telephone solicitors. Never provide information unless you have initiated the call.

Delete without replying to any suspicious email requests.

Use a locked mailbox to send and receive all mail.

Reduce the number of pre-approved credit card offers you receive by calling: 888-5OPT OUT (they will ask
for your SSN)

If you live in a state that allows credit freezes you may choose this option.

If you believe that you are a victim of identity fraud, please follow the steps below:

Security State Bank

If you provided bank account information, you should contact Security State Bank and ask for
instructions about protecting your account.

Contact your credit card company

If you entered a credit card number into a fraudulent email, or believe that your credit card has been
compromised, you should contact your credit card company to cancel your account and alert them to the
situation. Follow your credit card issuer's instructions for formally documenting the problem.

File a Police Report

File a report with your local police or the police in the community where the identity theft took place.
Make a copy of the report and note the date it was filed in case your credit card company or bank needs
proof of the crime.

File an identity theft complaint with the Federal Trade Commission

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) maintains a database of identity theft cases. Information submitted
to the FTC is used by law enforcement agencies to assist with investigations. To file a complaint with
the FTC, use one of the following options:

Contact Credit Bureaus

Report the fraud to all three credit bureaus listed below. Ask them to place a "fraud alert" on your
file so that no new credit can be granted without your approval. Make certain to follow up with a
written report after a phone call.

Trans Union

Annual Free Credit Report

AnnualCreditReport.com is a centralized service for consumers to request free annual credit reports. It was created by the three nationwide consumer credit reporting companies - Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.

AnnualCreditReport.com provides consumers with the secure means to request and obtain a free credit report once every 12 months from each of the three nationwide consumer credit reporting companies in accordance with the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACT Act).

Fake Check Scams

Don't be the victim of a check scam. The scenario seems harmless, but you could be scammed out of
thousands of dollars. Someone sends you a check or money order. They ask you to deposit it to your
account and then wire-transfer them the money minus a nice bonus for you, a "thank you" for helping out.

How Does the Check Scam Work?

The "pitch" stays pretty much the same, but it may appear in various disguises:

You're overpaid for an item you sold on the Internet and asked to wire-transfer back the extra dollars.

You receive a check and notification that you've won a foreign lottery or sweepstakes. You're told to
deposit the check, representing a portion of your winnings, and wire-transfer $2,000 to $5,000 back to
cover the taxes so you can collect the rest of your winnings.

A work-at-home offer promises that, in return for depositing a money order or check to your bank
account, you can keep a percentage of the money after wire-transferring the rest.

Someone in a chatroom asks you for a favor: Just cash their check and wire-transfer them the money.

Regardless of the pitch, the result is the same , the check or money order you receive for deposit will
be counterfeit. It will be returned to your bank unpaid, and the full amount will be deducted from your
account.

Who is Responsible for Losses to Your Account?

You are responsible for any check or money order you deposit to your account. If it turns out to be
counterfeit, or is returned unpaid for any reason, you are fully responsible for the loss.

Why Did the Bank Allow You to Withdraw the Money?

Federal law requires banks to make deposited funds available within 1 to 5 business days. Just because
you can withdraw cash from your account shortly after depositing a check or money order doesn't mean the
item you deposited is valid. It can be weeks before a check or money order is discovered to be
counterfeit and returned to your bank unpaid.
To learn more about common fake check scams or if you feel you have been a victim of a check scam, visit
www.fakechecks.org.